The following questions are asked regularly, and can result in lengthy discussion. However, for good reasons the answers we give will remain the same. Unless there is something new to say, these will not be included on SSCC agendas.

• Can we have model answers to past exam questions? 
  This question has been raised at SSCC meetings over many years.  After the SSCC meeting in November 2001 it was taken (again) to the teaching committee for consideration. Here is the response: "This item was taken to the Teaching Committee Meeting (TCM) of 12/12/01. There was a lengthy discussion about this at the TCM. The main view was that learning was an essentially active process. From this point of view, a written 'guide to answering exam questions' would not be appropriate. However, it was recognised that students should be given some guidance on how to approach their exams. The TCM felt that the best way of providing this guidance was for lecturers to provide directed feedback to those students who had attempted sample questions."
• Can we have better, faster computers in the labs?
  We aim to update at least one computer lab per year but the equipment is expected to last for 3-4 years once installed. As hardware improves very quickly it means that a lab due for an update will contain older equipment. We only have a finite budget, so have to stretch it as far as we can.
• Late access to the computer laboratories. 
  For legal reasons we cannot provide access to the labs unless there is a "designated person" on the premises. We have had limited success in recruiting and training designated persons, so regular late opening is difficult to arrange on a regular basis. From time to time we review the number and length of these late opening sessions taking into account the demand and our ability to provide a designated person. Unlimited access or access until midnight is not possible under any circumstances.
  From past experience, late opening sessions are often not well attended.
• Can we be taught programming language X? 
  There are a number of programming languages we could use for teaching purposes but there is only a limited amount of time and a lot of other material to cover. We perfer to aim for depth of understanding, rather than more shallow coverage of lots of languages. We place strong emphasis on object-oriented programming principles and Java is very suitable for this. Our programming courses should provide a basis for students to learn various other programming languages themselves.  In particular, languages such as C/C++ have many similarities with java and students should be able to pick them up quite easily.
• Can we have a canned drinks vending machine in the department?
  There are two problems with this - finding a location that is near a power supply but does not cause a safety hazard, and the machine making enough money to cover its costs. There has been a machine in the past but it did not make enough money to pay for itself and was deemed to be a safety hazard when safety regulations were tightened up. Based on this experience this is no prospect of a replacement. Now we are in the MPEB there is easy access to the facilities in the foyer of the Engineering Front Building and ULU is close by.

If a problem or issue can be dealt with outside the committee, please approach the appropriate member of staff or the Help Desk. This can save a lot of time and get results a lot more quickly.

• See the Year Coordinators or your Programme Director about course and curriculum issues.
• See the Departmental Officer at the Reception Desk on the 5th floor about building issues.